Low-level alert hoisted as Mount Bulusan spews ash Thursday

State volcanologists allayed fears but underscored public caution as restive Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon spewed ash anew Thursday morning.

PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum spoke over DZBB radio to explain that the spectacular ash plume observed rising from the volcano was due to the release of pent-up steam and was not a volcanic explosion.

Renato Solidum, Jr., @phivolcs_dost director on Mount Bulusan: Kanina po may nakitang voluminous steaming. https://t.co/CaqsfpiG7w

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 23, 2016

Renato Solidum, Jr., @phivolcs_dost director on Mount Bulusan: Ibig sabihin malakas-lakas 'yung pagbuga ng usok. https://t.co/CaqsfpiG7w

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 23, 2016

Solidum, Jr., @phivolcs_dost director on Mount Bulusan: At dahil malakas, nabitbit niya ulit 'yung mga lumang abo na nasa crater ng volcano.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 23, 2016

Renato Solidum, Jr., @phivolcs_dost director: Wala talagang explosion. https://t.co/CaqsfpiG7w

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 23, 2016

However, PHIVOLCS still urged the public to stay cautious and retained its Level 1 alert over Bulusan.

Level 1, the lowest of 5 alert levels, indicates "abnormal" activity with sightings of steam-driven eruptions.

"The local government units and the public are reminded that entry to the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft," PHIVOLCS warned. 

"People living within valleys and along river/stream channels especially on the southwest and northwest sector of the edifice should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall," it added. — GMA News